U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta Announces the Upcoming Induction of President Ronald Reagan Into the Department of Labor Hall of Honor

SIMI VALLEY, CA – Today, during remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced that U.S. President Ronald Reagan will be inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor.

President Reagan is the only president of the United States to have led a major union. President Reagan’s membership in the Labor Hall of Honor recognizes his accomplishments as a labor leader. During a March 30, 1981, speech to the National Conference of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, President Reagan remarked: "I hope you'll forgive me if I point with some pride to the fact that I'm the first president of the United States to hold a lifetime membership in an AFL-CIO union."

“Well before he led this nation, Ronald Reagan led the Screen Actors Guild during its first three strikes,” Secretary Acosta said. “As President of the Screen Actors Guild, President Reagan negotiated never-before-seen concessions for SAG members, which included residual payments and health and pension benefits.  As President of this nation, Ronald Reagan continued to recognize the contributions of unions to a free society. His support for Solidarity in Poland prompted a flourishing of freedom that ultimately led to the collapse of Communism.”

The Hall of Honor was established in 1988 to honor Americans whose distinctive contributions have elevated working conditions, wages, and overall quality of life for American families.

The request for nomination was submitted by the Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City.

The induction ceremony will take place at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C.